Hi, I’m
Frederik Joubert
Horticulturist Specialist
Jeffrey's Bay
Work Preference
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven Horticulturist, with a demonstrated knowledge agronomical principles to implement effective agricultural and economical strategies. Strong leader and communicator, excellent interpersonal and organisational skills, ability to assess and solve problems, turn theory into practice, providing support and services, while developing relationships and networks. Decision maker and catalyst, who naturally brings change, drives to create and innovate, takes initiative, lead and collaborate with team members, demonstrating ethical practices and adhering to company values.
Overview
35
years of professional experience
13
Certificates
Work History
NSF Africa
Agricultural Food Production & Processing Auditor
11.2025 - Current
Job overview
- Report to the Global Audit Manager.
- Conducts independent audits of farms and food processing facilities to assess compliance with international food safety, quality, and sustainability standards.
- Evaluating production systems, hygiene, traceability, and risk management practices across South Africa and other African countries.
- Verify compliance with schemes such as Global G.A.P., HACCP, and food safety management systems.
- Detailed reporting, corrective action follow-ups, and professional engagement with clients.
- Extensive regional travel and strict adherence to auditing protocols.
Murara Plants
Production Director
08.2024 - 09.2025
Job overview
- Reported to the Global Operations Director in the Netherlands.
- Managed overall operations as Co-MD, with special focus on production as Production Director.
- Empowered Managers, HODs and Supervisors, delegating greater responsibility for daily operations and decision-making, accountability and job-ownership.
- Staff complement: 400+ employees across production, research and support functions.
- Focused on employee leadership development, and structured communication to strengthen culture and morale.
- Directed productivity and quality improvements, with clear KPIs and SOPs for efficiency and accountability.
- Oversaw quality control of cuttings and rooted plants.
- Implementing RCA processes to address client complaints and drive continuous product improvement.
- Expanded customer relations, ensuring proactive engagement, and collaborative resolution of issues.
- Represented the company with key clients, institutions, suppliers, and stakeholders, driving trust, collaboration, and long-term relationships.
- Crops: Alstromeria, Gypsophila, Limonium, Salvia, Gerbera, Hibiscus
- Achievements:
- Rebuilt company culture through empowerment, leadership development, and open communication channels.
- Improved productivity and morale through structured workflows and recognition.
- Reduced Limonium production cycle and improved cutting quality.
- Strengthened customer satisfaction and product quality by applying Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to identify and address underlying causes of quality issues.
- Drove continuous improvement and risk reduction through the implementation of effective corrective and preventive actions based on RCA findings.
- Reason for leaving: Contract concluded due to global company restructuring and with subsequent relocation back to South Africa.
Agricultural Development Services
Freelance Consultant
07.2023 - 07.2024
Job overview
- Providing specialist technical and commercial advice on vegetable and fruit tree production.
- Reason for leaving: Accepted a new challenge in Kenya.
Westfalia Fruit Estates
Operations Manager
01.2023 - 06.2023
Job overview
- Reported to the Managing Director and formed part of the monthly Exco Management Team.
- Developed and managed the budget, production and sales of avocado trees of 3 nursery sites.
- Staff complement: 10 x admin / management staff and 235 wage employees.
- Provided technical support, agronomy knowledge and commercial advice to growers.
- Managed key clients and customer service.
- Collaborated with Q&A and R&D to enhance the operational procedures and systems.
- Maintenance of grounds, gardens and buildings.
- Trained and mentored staff.
- Oversee projects, committees, health & safety, farmer days and certification systems.
- Crop: Avocado trees.
- Reason for leaving: Six-month contract ended.
Amiran Kenya
Commercial Manager – Irrigation & Greenhouses
01.2021 - 01.2022
Job overview
- Reported to the Managing Director and formed part of the Exco Management Team.
- Lead, managed and mentored the procurement-, sales-, customer service- and operational divisions.
- Staff complement: 3 x Procurement, 8 x Sales, 8 x Customer Service, 1 x Agric extension and 14 x Operational.
- Developed and implemented budget, sales and marketing strategies.
- Negotiated product sales and concluded project costing.
- Built relationships and networking with key customers, industry, NGO’s and governmental stakeholders.
- Ensured customer satisfaction by determining training and feedback requirements.
- Achievements:
- Restructured departments within Irrigation & Greenhouses.
- Improved customer relations and customer service.
- Reason for leaving: Contract ended after 2 contract extensions; I then accepted a new contract in SA.
Aerobotics
Business Development Manager
01.2020 - 01.2021
Job overview
- Reported to the COO and formed part of the Exco Management Team.
- Provide specialist technical and commercial advice on tree health monitoring, fruit distribution and yield prediction.
- Ensure customer satisfaction by improving sustainable and precision practices to increase ROI.
- Build trusted relationships with key customers.
- Market research to improve product offerings.
- Crops: Citrus, Macadamia, Avocado.
- Achievements:
- Obtained sales targets and Increased sales in the northern part of SA during a drought period.
- Reason for leaving: Procured a challenging and lucrative position in Kenya.
Director of Agricultural Development Services (ADS)
Horticultural Consultant
01.2019 - 01.2020
Job overview
- Provide specialist technical and commercial advice on vegetable and fruit tree production, with special reference to soil health and regenerative agricultural practices.
- Provided research project consultation including conducting trials, interpreting data and report findings to clients.
- Crops: Vegetables, Avocado, Mango, Macadamia and Blue Berries.
- Achievements:
- Increased yield and quality of production units of vegetables and fruit production.
- Solved commercial related problems by conducting adhoc research trials.
- Improved the quality of input products by auditing seedling and tree nurseries and making recommendations.
- Reason for leaving: Covid negatively impacted on my consultancy business and I had to find an alternative income.
Avocado Unit | Red Sun Hortitech
Operations and Technical Manager
01.2017 - 01.2019
Job overview
- Reported to the Managing Director and formed part of the Exco Management Team.
- Designed, implemented, and managed budget and production of Avocado Tree Nursery to increase productivity.
- Staff complement: 4 x Supervisors, 24 x workers and 2 x drivers.
- Liaised and collaborated with Growers and Stakeholders across the industry.
- Developed plant protection guidelines and programs to enhance plant growth and -development.
- Identified new opportunities by conducting research and taking innovative initiatives.
- Maintained nursery accreditation standards: SHEQ, GLOBAL G.A.P, SIZA.
- Maintenance of grounds, gardens and buildings.
- Led, managed and trained nursery team.
- Certification auditor for the Seedling Growers’ Association of SA (SGASA) – vegetable & forestry + Macadamia.
- Crops: Avocado and Macadamia.
- Achievements:
- Analysed process flow and implemented effective production strategies.
- Increased avocado tree growth rate by implementing new technologies.
- Developed and established mother block trees to improve supply of genetic source of quality.
- Reason for leaving: Resigned to venture on my own as Horticultural Consultant.
Peppadew International
Agricultural Technical and Procurement Manager
01.2006 - 01.2017
Job overview
- Reported to the Agricultural Manager and Formed part of the Exco & Food Safety teams.
- Developed the business plan and managed the Agricultural Technical- and Fruit Procurement divisions.
- Managed factory sub-divisions – fruit receiving, grading, size sorting and cold storage.
- Staff complement: 6 x Supervisors, 8 x grading, 52 x workers, 6 x forklift drivers, 2 x Greenhouse workers.
- Participated in certification standards: SHEQ / GMP / HACCP / ISO 22000 / ISO 14001 / GLOBAL GAP.
- Managed pre-seasonal grower contracts, price negotiations, planting and delivery schedules.
- Managed seed selection and production of disease-free seed source in controlled environment.
- Managed scheduled sowing, pulling and auditing of seedlings at accredited nurseries.
- Procured resources of raw fruit to meet the standards & MRL requirements of national and international stakeholders.
- Ensured sufficient quantity and quality of raw sorted fruit for factory requirements.
- Managed transport and bulk bin control, and waste management.
- Performed applied research on production problems and provided support and agricultural technical assistance.
- Provided feedback, training and technology transfer to agri-team, company commercial projects and out-growers.
- Participated in the development of an ERP computerized system for traceability purposes.
- Maintenance of grounds, gardens and buildings.
- Certification auditor for the Seedling Growers’ Association of SA (SGASA) – vegetable & forestry + Macadamia.
- Crops: Piquante Peppers, Peppers, Chili, Jalapeno, Cabbage, Tomato, Onion and Mango.
- Achievements:
- Improved operational and process flow efficiency and productivity at factory inlet.
- Developed and improved grading standards of raw fruit of Piquante peppers, Jalapenos and Mango’s.
- Developed and improved infrastructure, automation of sorting machinery and ERP systems.
- Ensured disease free production of seed which exceeded industry standards and phytosanitary regulations.
- Ensured healthy and disease free seedlings for optimum growth and yield.
- Developed & Implemented soil health, fertilization- and foliar feed programs to improve plant resiliency.
- Developed integrated pest control guidelines (IPM) to conform with local and export requirements (MRL’s).
- Compiled and released the “Growers Manual of Piquante Peppers”.
- Improved grower relations and production via on-farm visits by assessing and solving problems.
- Consulted extensively on international Peppadew projects across Peru, Florida USA & Greece.
- Reason for leaving: After several enjoyable and successful years, I decided to take up a new challenge.
Agricultural Development Services
Founder and Director
01.2003 - 01.2006
Job overview
- CONTRACT - Conducted adhoc research projects for Peppadew International.
- CONTRACT - Agricultural Advisor & Seed selection of Piquante Peppers for Peppadew International.
- Consultation and training to growers – production practices & irrigation scheduling.
- Designed and installed irrigation systems – on small scale, commercial and residential level.
- Small scale farmer development, upliftment of local communities and Aids Care Centers, by establishment of community vegetable gardens.
- Crops: Vegetables, Subtropical Fruit, Sugarcane.
- Reason for leaving: Accepted a job offer from Peppadew International on permanent basis.
Netafim SA (PTY) Ltd
Agricultural Technical Advisor
01.2002 - 01.2003
Job overview
- Marketed irrigation solutions and provided technical information to growers of various crops.
- Liaised and communicated with growers, customers, and key industry players.
- Performed on-farm visits and solved problems to improve crop quality.
- Interpreted water analysis and offered advice regarding the maintenance of irrigation systems.
- Offered training on drip irrigation and fertigation.
- Crops: Vegetables, Sugarcane, Subtropical Fruit.
- Reason for leaving: Start own venture intended for food security purposes in rural areas, in collaboration with Netafim.
ARC- Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops
Research Project Manager
01.1998 - 01.2001
Job overview
- Conducted applied research on high density production and manipulation/pruning/irrigation strategies.
- Wrote production guidelines and published research results.
- Technology transfer and commercial application.
- Crops: Citrus, Avocado, Macadamia.
- Reason for leaving: Accepted a new position at Netafim SA – to gain more irrigation experience.
KZN Department of Agriculture
Principle Agricultural Scientist
01.1991 - 01.1998
Job overview
- Performed applied research on various crops and led research projects.
- Developed and published technical information as “Crop Specific Production Guidelines”.
- Demonstration and technology transfer of crop production systems to small-scale and commercial Farmers.
- Farm management – 5 years’ experience – as stand-in person.
- Received awards for:
- Most original publication – “Madumbe, an underexploited tuber crop in KZN”.
- Best publication – “Banana cultivar performance in the hot-subtropics”.
- Crops: Citrus, Banana, Papaya, Pineapple, Coffee, Mango, Litchi, Macadamia, Prickly pears, Pepper spice, Cashew nuts, Coconuts, Cabbage, Chili, Peppers, Tomato, Madumbe, Sweet Potato & Cassava.
- Reason for leaving: Accepted a job offer from the ARC-ITSC in Nelspruit.
Education
University of Pretoria
BSC Agric Hons from Horticulture
01-1996
University Overview
Part-time
University of Pretoria
BSC Agric from Horticulture
01-1991
University Overview
Full-time
Skills
Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture
Organic and Precision Farming Practices
Vegetable- and Fruit Crop Management
Soil Health and Plant Nutrient Management
Irrigation Systems and Water Management
Plant Health and Integrated Pest Management
Problem-solving
Risk mitigation strategies
Root-cause analysis
Decision-making
Process evaluations
Attention to detail
Team collaboration
Clear communication
Critical thinking
Multitasking and organization
Project management
Analytical problem solving
Ethical standards
Organizational skills
Analytical thinking
Problem-solving abilities
Interpersonal communication
Interpersonal skills
Analytical skills
Multitasking Abilities
Written communication
Staff training
Professionalism
Additional Information
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
· Effective Communication & Human Relations Skills – Dale Carnegie Group | Oct & Nov 2022
· Leadership Development Program – 26-week program by John Maxwell Group | Nov 2012
CERTIFICATION / COURSES
· NURTURING A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS – Agricultural Employment Association (A.E.A) | Kenya | Sep 2024
· FACTS / BASOS – Plant nutrition certification | FERTASA | Currently enrolled
· AVCASA – Crop protection certification | Crop Life SA | June 2020
· GLOBAL G.A.P (Version 5.1) – Nikiwe Consulting | Jan 2018
· NUTRITIONAL FARMING PRINCIPLES – NTS Australia | June 2017
· ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems | SABS | July 2016
· ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000 – Food safety & food quality | Progress Excellence RSA |Sep 2015
· SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE – Mineral-, Plant-, Microbe- and Pest Management | NTS Australia | May 2014
· CERTIFICATION AUDITOR – Seedling Growers Association of SA (SGASA) | 2013-2018
· HACCP & GMP – Swift Micro Laboratories RSA | Nov 2010
· IRRIGATION & FERTIGATION MANAGEMENT – Agrofert Academy RSA | Feb 2002 & Aug 2004
· VEGETABLE AND FRUIT TREE CULTURE – Taiwan, Dep of Agriculture, Research & Development | Nov 1996
· FARM PHYSICAL & BUSINESS PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT – KZN, Dep of Agric, RSA | June 1996
COMMUNICATION and WRITING SKILLS
· Production guidelines –Chili, Cabbage, Loofah, Madumbe, Banana and Piquante Peppers
· Pruning and tree training guidelines - Citrus and Subtropical Fruit
· Publications and posters – Banana, Coffee, Madumbe, Citrus
· Publication awards:
o 1998: Best scientific publication - Banana cultivar evaluation in the hot-subtropics
o 1996: Most original scientific publication – Madumbe (Colocasia esculenta) an under-exploited tuber crop of subsistence farming in South Africa
Certification
NURTURING A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS – Agricultural Employment Association (A.E.A) | Kenya | Sep 2024
Interests
Gardening, Cycling, Hiking, Swimming, Photography, DIY projects
Timeline
Agricultural Food Production & Processing Auditor
NSF Africa
11.2025 - Current
Production Director
Murara Plants
08.2024 - 09.2025
Freelance Consultant
Agricultural Development Services
07.2023 - 07.2024
Operations Manager
Westfalia Fruit Estates
01.2023 - 06.2023
Commercial Manager – Irrigation & Greenhouses
Amiran Kenya
01.2021 - 01.2022
Business Development Manager
Aerobotics
01.2020 - 01.2021
Horticultural Consultant
Director of Agricultural Development Services (ADS)
01.2019 - 01.2020
Operations and Technical Manager
Avocado Unit | Red Sun Hortitech
01.2017 - 01.2019
Agricultural Technical and Procurement Manager
Peppadew International
01.2006 - 01.2017
Founder and Director
Agricultural Development Services
01.2003 - 01.2006
Agricultural Technical Advisor
Netafim SA (PTY) Ltd
01.2002 - 01.2003
Research Project Manager
ARC- Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops
01.1998 - 01.2001
Principle Agricultural Scientist
KZN Department of Agriculture
01.1991 - 01.1998
University of Pretoria
BSC Agric from Horticulture
University of Pretoria
BSC Agric Hons from Horticulture
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Effective Communication & Human Relations Skills – Dale Carnegie Group | Oct & Nov 2022
- Leadership Development Program – 26-week program by John Maxwell Group | Nov 2012
COMMUNICATION and WRITING SKILLS
- Production guidelines –Chili, Cabbage, Loofah, Madumbe, Banana and Piquante Peppers
- Pruning and tree training guidelines - Citrus and Subtropical Fruit
- Publications and posters – Banana, Coffee, Madumbe, Citrus
- Publication awards:
- 1998: Best scientific publication - Banana cultivar evaluation in the hot-subtropics
- 1996: Most original scientific publication – Madumbe (Colocasia esculenta) an under-exploited tuber crop of subsistence farming in South Africa
Availability
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Available
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tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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COMPUTER LITERACY
- MS Office Suite - Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook
- Google platform - Google Docs, Sheets, Drive
- Microsoft Teams & D365 - Collaboration and project management tools
- ERP systems - Experience with enterprise resource planning software
Accomplishments
MURARA PLANTS KENYA
ü Rebuilt company culture through empowerment, leadership development, and open communication channels
ü Improved productivity and morale through structured workflows and recognition
ü Reduced Limonium production cycle and improved cutting quality.
ü Strengthened customer satisfaction and product quality by applying Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to identify and address underlying causes of quality issues.
ü Drove continuous improvement and risk reduction through the implementation of effective corrective and preventive actions based on RCA findings.
AMIRAN KENYA
ü Restructured departments within Irrigation & Greenhouses
ü Improved customer relations and customer service
AEROBOTICS
ü Obtained sales targets and Increased sales in the northern part of SA during a drought period
HORTICULTURAL CONSULTANT
ü Increased yield and quality of production units of vegetables and fruit production
ü Solved commercial related problems by conducting adhoc research trials.
Improved the quality of input products by auditing seedling and tree nurseries and making recommendations
RED SUN HORTITECH
ü Analysed process flow and implemented effective production strategies
ü Increased avocadotree growth rate by implementing new technologies
ü Developed and established mother block trees to improve supply of genetic source of quality
PEPPADEW INTERNATIONAL
ü Improved operational and process flow efficiency and productivity at factory inlet
ü Developed and improved grading standards of raw fruit of Piquante peppers, Jalapenos and Mango’s
ü Developed and improved infrastructure, automation of sorting machinery and ERP systems
ü Ensured disease free production of seed which exceeded industry standards and phytosanitary regulations
ü Ensured healthy and disease free seedlings for optimum growth and yield
ü Developed & Implemented soil health, fertilization- and foliar feed programs to improve plant resiliency
ü Developed integrated pest control guidelines (IPM) to conform with local and export requirements (MRL’s)
ü Compiled and released the “Growers Manual of Piquante Peppers
ü Improved grower relations and production via on-farm visits by assessing and solving problems
ü Consulted extensively on international Peppadew projects across Peru, Florida USA & Greece
RESEARCH SCIENTIST
Wrote production guidelines and published research results
Received awards for:
o Most original publication – “Madumbe, an underexploited tuber crop in KZN”
o Best publication – “Banana cultivar performance in the hot-subtropics”
CROP EXPERIENCE
Citrus and Subtropical fruits: Citrus, Banana, Papaya, Pineapple, Coffee, Mango, Avocado, Litchi, Macadamia, Cashew nuts, Coconuts, Pepper spice,
Other crops: Blue berries, Prickly pears, Sweet Potato, Cassava, Sugarcane, Madumbe
Vegetables:
Cabbage, Tomato, Chili, Bell Peppers, Piquante Peppers, Jalapeno, Onion,
Cut-flowers: Roses, Alstromeria, Gypsophila, Limonium, Salvia, Gerbera, Hibiscus